The curled wake model: a three-dimensional and extremely fast steady-state wake solver for wind plant flows

Abstract. Wind turbine wake models typically require approximations, such as superposition and deflection models, to accurately describe physics. However, capturing the phenomena of interest, curled interaction multiple wakes, in wind power plant flows comes with an increased computational cost. To address this, we propose a new hybrid method that uses analytical solutions approximate form Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations solve time-averaged flow over plant. We compare results from solver supervisory control data acquisition Lillgrund obtaining model predictions which are generally within 1 standard deviation mean data. perform simulations Columbia River Gorge demonstrate capabilities complex terrain. also apply case steering, agreed well large-eddy simulations. This reduces time – therefore related cost it takes simulate steady-state (on order seconds using one core). Because is computationally efficient, can be used for different applications including steering plants layout optimization.